(Article by Computer Network Technologist Guylene Gadal)

Back in February, I was threatened teasingly with the description of something from my personal life on the Geography Website under the guise of a news story titled "The Secret Lives of UCSB Geographers." Well, I pleaded with the editor not to publish anything about my personal life - I don't find it exciting and doubt anyone else would either.

When I read the "The Secret Lives of UCSB Geographers," I started looking for other articles about staff members. Faculty, researchers, and students have the lion’s share of the Geography News with their projects, workshops, conferences, and hard earned accomplishments and awards. However, any news about staff is hard to find. I read articles about who is retiring, who joined the department, and who received pins for years of service or earned a special award—and I thought to myself, there is more to the life of a staff person than the things previously mentioned. That fact, along with the state of the economy, layoffs, and tax increases, made me realize that my own morale needed a boost. So I decided to do something different. I donated money to be used in a contest to boost staff morale. I would create a list of questions, review the responses, and present a check for $100.00 to the winner during staff appreciation week.

On Friday, May 1st, 2009, at the Department of Geography Staff meeting, a contest form was handed out to each staff member, consisting of five questions about everything from UCSB, to worm tea, and to how working at UCSB has had a positive impact. Before I was able to finish my introduction about the contest, I heard sly comments, like "What is this? More work to do?" I paused, smiled, and then mentioned the best part, which was the incentive. When I mentioned the monetary award, I was instantly reminded of the credit card commercials shown on television, where each item needed for an event costs money, but the event itself is considered "priceless."

The surprised looks on the staff faces and a second of silence was all I needed to boost my own morale. So many big smiles filled the room. It doesn't take much to brighten someone's day. This moment now ranks as one of my favorite moments at UCSB.